2.30 – Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2YO only): This doesn’t look appealing as a betting medium and if Shang Shang Shang can reach the level of most Wesley Ward raiders then she’ll take a lot of beating here. It hasn’t been the best week for her stable but if she can reproduce her comfortable win in a 12-runner maiden at Keeneland she should take some catching. The National Stakes is a key form line here and Clive Cox’s Koncheck might come out best, although Kinks didn’t get a run there and could be better running from the front. Aidan O’Brien’s juveniles by and large have all run very well so it’s interesting he sends Land Force here after his third at the Curragh in a listed event. Last time out winners The Paddocks, Rumble Inthejungle, Charming Kid, and Glory Fighter all would not be surprise winners.

Advice: 1 pt win Shang Shang Shang (9/2 Paddy Power)

3.05 – 1m2f Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo): Hunting Horn has had plenty of racing so far but his Prix du Jockey Club sixth is the best form here and if he is ahead of Key Victory (eighth that day) at the end here he ought to have a fighting chance of taking a seriously competitive race. Charlie Appleby’s Key Victory might improve a lot for a better surface and along with Dante fifth Nordic Lights and the deeply impressive maiden winner National Army.

Wadilsafa, who won decisively in a useful minor event at Newmarket over 1 mile, must improve but promises to enjoy this extra distance and he is also on the longlist along with Heron Stakes third Vintager.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Hunting Horn (6/1 general)

3.40 – 1m4f Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo): This is difficult to measure. Wild Illusion and Magic Wand’s Oaks form towers over the field and the latter particularly ought to enjoy being on a faster surface, but they have had 20 days to recover from a slog at Epsom and as Cracksman showed, that is no easy task. six winners since 1997 were being turned out again quickly after running the Investec Oaks but this year’s renewal was a particularly arduous grind. That could also count against Perfect Clarity, who was an impressive winner of the Lingfield Oaks Trial but who also couldn’t move her feet through Epsom’s ground.

Sun Maiden is an obvious choice and is a terribly exciting prospect after her romp in a Salisbury maiden by 12 lengths, but the second was a beaten favourite next time out by nine lengths as evens favourite so progression is needed if she’s going to justify favouritism and in an open race she can be taken on.

Since getting fast ground Athena has finished second in Newbury’s Oaks trial and broken her maiden at the seventh time of asking, and Aidan O’Brien’s charge could keep progressing here. This step upto 1m4f – especially around Ascot – could bring out more improvement (closely-related to Bracelet who won this race back in 2014 on her first go at the trip) and on a sound surface she’s looked like a new horse. Her second at Newbury over 10 furlongs to Sea Of Class rates as very strong form, with the winner having been a short price for the Oaks before she bypassed the race to win the Abdingon convincingly. Seven lengths back in this was Crystal Hope, who had impressively beaten the Musidora winner Give and Take and the Musidora third Highgarden (runs here) at Sandown.

Lady Of Shalott should be capable of better following her 4th to Perfect Clarity in the Lingfield Oaks Trial but she will need to improve a great deal and neither of Sarrochi or Sizzling make much appeal. Dancing Brave Bear, a staying on second in the Musidora, has place potential.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Athena (9/1 general)

4.20 – 2m4f Gold Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (4yo+): A monster renewal of the Gold Cup with three top quality stayers and Stradivarius can crown himself the staying king in a race to watch and savour. AA rapidly progressive stayer since taking the Queen’s Vase here last year, he has since won the Goodwood Cup when beating last year’s winner of this, Big Orange, and afterwards he was a fine third when dropped down in trip for the St Leger. He was beaten that day by Irish Derby winner Capri and Crystal Ocean, who has won two group contests already this season, with Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling behind him. He ended the year with a fine third on British Champions Day, behind Order Of St George when the ground was extremely testing and the race collapsed late. This faster ground will play right into his hands compared to then.

His return in the Yorkshire Cup, when he had the race won before Frankie Dettori got serious with him, was a perfect tune up and the only worry might be stamina if this is a real test over 2m4f, but he has not failed on that count so far and a small field ought to suit with only Torcedor and Mount Moriah known as front runners.

Order Of St George won this in 2016 and went down fighting in a titanic battle last year. He sets an imposing standard and has turned up quietly with a pair of easy wins in the Vintage Crop and Saval Beg Stakes. If there was to be one chink in his armour, it could be that he goes best with cut as his record shows, and today’s faster surface is a more level playing field between our selection and him.

The race is completed by the presence of Vazirabad, twice a winner of the Prix-Royal Oak and also a winner of the Prix du Cadran last year, along with a three-time winner of the Dubai Gold Cup. He comes here for the first time following a good tune up when he beat subsequent winner Marmelo in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier with plenty in hand (as he always does) and he has a tremendous each/way appeal at 6/1. Some may query his stamina and suitably for this ground but he’s a winner of the Cadran and a lack of potential pace should enhance his chances.

Desert Skyline should enjoy this step upto 2m4f, but he was beaten fair and square behind Stradivarius last time out at York even with a penalty and has also been well beaten by Order Of St George in the past.

Torcedor was a changed horse for front running tactics when spread-eagling the field in the Sagaro last time, but he won’t get such an easy time going half a mile further on fast ground and he was well beaten with fifth in this last year.

Sheikhzayedroad, Max Dynamite, Mount Moriah, and Scotland all have various amounts to prove.

Advice: Watch and enjoy

Just as difficult as the Hunt Cup yesterday but we won that so hopefully we can repeat the trick. The first two in our portfolio are hardly original choices and drawn next to eachother but they have outstanding form claims. George Of Heart was one of two horses to come from the back and take the first two positions in a 7-furlong handicap here; the winner that day was Society Rock, who would win upped in class at Goodwood and then take second in the Jersey yesterday. He looks as if he’ll improve for this extra furlong too, and if repeating the form he’s very well treated.

Curiosity made a fine start to his three year old season when going down by a neck to Symbolisation in a Newmarket handicap and that was boosted by the winner running fifth in the Irish Guineas and then the Jersey yesterday. If he steps forward he can hopefully make a late bid that is just as strong as our top choice.

Ostillo has just snuck in to add another string to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s bow and he might prove to be their best chance. Possibly best known as the horse who was beaten by Without Parole at Yarmouth, he was eight lengths clear of the third that day and has since proven himself to be useful, making short work of the field on his handicap debut at Newmarket. A mark of 84 might have been lenient then but thankfully he’s snuck in there and Simon Crisford and Silvestre De Sousa have a terrific record together – they’ve won 25 races race together out of 84 at a very healthy 30 per cent.

Those who are greedy could do worse than to look at Aidan O’Brien’s James Cook. O’Brien won this in 2015 with War Envoy and all three of his contenders make some appeal although James Cook could be the most overpriced. A full brother to the magnificent Found, he made a good debut behind a subsequent Group 3 runner up at Naas and was then a convincing winner of a Leopardstown maiden from Latrobe, who has since finished second to group placed hunting Horn and finished second in the Gallinule Stakes. Things haven’t gone so well for him this season, but he didn’t handle Epsom on his return when he needed the run and one has to forgive his Dante run. A really strongly run stiff mile ought to bring out the best in him and it’s interesting he’s been tried at a mile now.

5.25 – 1m4f King George V Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo 0-105): Godolphin have won three of the last four editions and had the 1-2 last year – once again they have two strong chances. Cross County gave plenty of hope that he’d improve a lot for this this trip when finishing a good second to a very smart prospect at Sandown when giving a stone to the winner. However, they might have an even stronger chance in Dubhe, who was deeply impressive on his three-year-old debut at Sandown.

It was his first time going beyond a mile and it’s no surprise that he thrived for it – he’s out of Irish Oaks winner Great Heavens – and if anything, a step upto this trip is overdue given how long it took for him to engage overdrive. Once he did get rolling, he put four lengths between himself and Communique, who reopposes here after winning the uber competitive London Gold Cup going away. That form has already been boosted by runners from that race finishing first and fourth at Epsom’s Derby meeting along with two runners up spots so the

Joseph O’Brien’s Downforce is the second to make the staking plan. The son of Camelot was making his debut going further than 1 mile at Navan when scythed through the field going downhill and eventually found enough to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The further he goes the better and having a proper pace to crack at will help matters too.

Two stand out from the field here. Who Dares Wins travelled beautifully into the Pertemps at Cheltenham Festival 2018 before he found the trip too far but this trip and course ought to suit him far more and whilst that was a hard race it was his first since November so hopefully he’ll be able to back the run up and going up just a pound for that effort has left him well treated by any reasonable standard.

Spiritofthegames is 10lbs higher than he was when winning well at Lingfield in November but every single pound of that has been earned and his fifth in the Country Hurdle built on a fine third in the Betfair Trophy before that. This ground is not an issue to him having handled the testing surface at Cheltenham with aplomb and it might be that this trip around Aintree proves to be just right, so if not over the top after a very busy season he’s got all the ingredients to go very close.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Spiritofthegames (10/1 Bet365)

2.20 – Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4yo+)

A big field but this has cut up a lot and Global Citizen ought to take the world of beating. His nine-length thumping of Scarlet Dragon in the Dovecote at Kempton was a stunning display and his second wide margin in since moving to the yard of Ben Pauling. He’s a soft ground winner too, so hopefully the surface won’t be a problem, and we know the trip and track should be just fine.

Vision Des Flos has a lot of promise for the future and his Ballymore sixth was a lovely effort but this is a far sharper test, his quickest so far, and he may be more of a stayer. Of more interest is the 4-year-old Style De Garde, who was second when by far the best at the weights in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, and who has been chosen as the prime representative for the Nicky Henderson yard which has started the festival in great form.

Slate House has struggled since his fine win in a Grade 2 earlier in the season at Cheltenham but this ought to suit him a good deal more than the Grade 2 races he ran in at Cheltenham twice even if he would probably be better suited to going a little bit further on better ground. He retains plenty of promise though. It would be unwise to write off Impact Factor, who was beaten by the useful Hardline in a Grade 2 from the front, and Lalor, who has had the ground go against him.

Advice: 3 pts win Global Citizen (2/1 general)

2.50 – Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

Trappy and not a race to spend a lot of time on and maybe Elegant Escape can be the one. His RSA Chase third looks close to the best recent form and he’s a solid jumper for whom a long straight looks ideal. It’s hoped he’s not over the top as that looked the case with Black Corton when he was a tired fifth in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham, and a hard race was certainly had by Ms Parfois when she was nosed out of the 4-miler by Rathvinden there. Mia’s Storm makes a lot of appeal on ground of freshness but her jumping when to pot in the Kauto Star at Kempton and her best efforts have come on a much better surface. Terrefort, if staying this trip, is an obvious favourite and should make a bold bid.

The form of Snow Falcon’s fifth in the Flogas stands up very well here and if he didn’t tired himself out when getting to the 13th and falling in the Irish National then he’s overpriced – Coo Star Sivola, the winner of the Ultima Chase at the Festival – buy tickets for Cheltenham Festival 2019, has mastered the hang of jumping finally although he was handicapped brilliantly to win at the Festival and this is a whole lot tougher.

Advice: No bet.

3.25 (Mildmay) JLT Melling Chase (Grade 1)

The market has this as being between the Champion Chase runner up and Ryanair winner and the vote goes to Min although I won’t recommend a bet at the odds, who was exemplary in defeat at the Festival. He found only the exceptional Altior too good then and travelled and jumped in a manner that would have won most renewals of the Champion Chase, and he was not stopping up the hill despite the brilliance of Altior. Stamina will be key today, given just how strong Balko Des Flos was when winning the Ryanair, when he gave a comprehensive beating to Un De Sceaux (Cloudy Dream over 10 lengths back in third that day) having actually travelled the better of the two through the home straight. He will expose any flaws in Min’s armoury and has to be the biggest threat with Politologue respected although he has to turn around a large deficit with Min.

Le Prezien was a fine winner of the Grand Annual but this is a totally different test and he could be exposed up in class here and Sizing Granite was back to his form when winning at Newbury but he has a completely different task now.

Advice: No bet.

4.05 – Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

One of the finer sights of the week. Ultragold hasn’t cut much ice on his last two starts but he took to the course with aplomb when he won this last year and his second in the Grand Sefton since when outstayed by the Grand National Contender Gas Line Boy shapes really well. He had to cope with deep ground here in December but that did not hamper him one bit, and he ought to go very well today.

Theatre Territory is having her first start over these fences but few riders know this course better than Sam Whaley-Cohen and her last two starts, a third in Kempton’s big three mile handicap chase, and before that a second to the subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Mister Whitaker when the pair were 17 lengths clear of Sizing Tennessee, a very useful market who was then third in the 4 Miler (had previously pushed Yanworth all the way in the Dipper on New Year’s Day). The likely pace will be very strong but the fact she gets further should help and she’s a sound jump who’s well handicapped.

An unappealing race given how gruelling the Albert Bartlett was this year. EBF Mares Hurdle final winner Roksana and EBF Handicap final winner Sam’s Gunner have not exactly had a lot more rest though, given that both had to slog to their victories with gaps of 20 and 34 days to this race. Of the two Roksana, who has been progressive all season, is preferred, although of the favourites OK Corral, who looks nimbler than stablemate Santini, looks the best option around Aintree’s three mile test although a number of contenders are worth taking seriously including Chef Des Obeaux and Poetic Rhythm.

The market support given to Nicky Henderson’s Mister Fisher before his debut at Kempton and in the leadup to this event suggest that he takes high rank amongst the bumper horses at Seven Barrows and his impressive performance there was that of a horse who can quickly make up the step to graded company. There’s not much established form in his Kempton bumper but Rhythm Is A Dancer was beaten three lengths further by him than he was by other contender Severano on his debut at the same course, and Mister Fisher ought to improve.

He will need to go some to beat Danny Kirwan and Pym, an impressive 1-2 in a Kempton bumper who have been saved for this, bypassing the Cheltenham Festival. Mercy Mercy Me comes from the Champion Bumper, having finished eight there, and might be better suited by this ground which whilst still soft, is not nearly as testing or gluey as it was at Cheltenham, and he’s of interest.

Galway Festival 2017 has slowly and steadily improved for us through the week and whilst Haymount was brought to juddering halt, Balko Des Flos rewarded my confidence by storming home in the Plate to deliver a big winner for Henry De Bromhead and JPFestival.com Members. Shaneshill, punted into favouritism, was a god second although a big mistake at the second last didn’t help him, whilst Slowmotion was a creditable third ahead of A Toil Phil, who shaped as if he had another handicap in him when catching the eye in fourth.

We move onto the Galway Hurdle (4.35) today, which is just as fiercely contested. Where Gigginstown went mob handed yesterday, JP McManus is today, with seven runners and the first reserve too, and the odds of all his contenders combined give him an evens shot of taking the race.

Whilst it will take some winning, he may well have the answer and two of his make the most appeal, with Western Boy the first selection. A fine flat handicapper, he has had some troubles that have kept him off the track but he showed that he retains a huge amount of ability when he won the Grade B Killashee Handicap Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival, always travelling best before finding plenty to win fairly snugly. Before that he was an excellent fourth in the Irish Cesarewitch in October 2015, and a year later he was going very well when slipping up at the Punchestown Festival in the Killashee Hurdle before that.

This presumably has been the aim and whilst he’s gone up 8lbs for that it appears that he retains a lot of his old ability, if not the level that saw him push Vautour to half a length in his novice days and he holds a major chance if he backs up his fine win.

The British have won this only once in the last 10 years but that’s not for a lack of trying and there’s nothing not to like about the challenge of Project Bluebook. A progressive juvenile hurdler, he was well fancied to run well in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival and ran a very creditable race when finishing fourth there.

His improvement was not done there, however, as he got the better of the subsequent Grade 1 third Dandy Mag and the Triumph fourth Ex Patriot in the Dunboyne Juvenile Hurdle soon afterwards. That form makes him look well treated off a mark of 141 – which gives him a handy weight of 10-5, and his second at Catterick should have put him spot on for this assignment.

Max Dynamite went onto be a Group 1 horse after finishing second to Quick Jack in the 2015 renewal, finishing second in the Melbourne Cup after trashing his rivals in the Yorkshire Cup. If he’s over the physical issues which saw him disappoint so much on the flat two seasons ago then he’s chucked in but there’s a great deal to be taken on trust.

That can’t be said for Swamp Fox, who took two handicap hurdles before running a fine race when second in the big flat handicap on the first day of the Festival. He’s a rock solid each/way chance whilst Joseph O’Brien and Barry Geraghty already have two winners on the board, so Tigris River, fifth in this last year, will have his backers. He won well at Bellewstown and looks well treated off 140.

Timiyan has impressed in winning both handicap hurdle starts since joining Gordon Elliott and should be seriously involved.

One who made the longlist but not quite the final cut was Airlie Beach, who was fancied to do big things after a fine romp in the Royal Bond before a disappointing spring. This is her first handicap and she’d be hugely well in off 140 if back to her best, and she was an encouraging third on her flat return at Killarney 15 days ago.

Best of the bigger prices might be Plinth, a good winner of a Grade 3 who carries a handy weight of 10-11.

The Guinness Open Gate Brewery Novice Chase (2.15) is a decent renewal in its own right and Don’t Touch It can give Jessica Harrington a decent prize. Chasing hasn’t always been easy for her seven-year-old but things dropped right at the Punchestown Festival when he took a decent handicap prize (Potters Point fifth, getting a stone). That represented a greatly improved effort for the Grade 1 winner over hurdles and he also gets 3lbs off Townshend, the other form horse in this field.

Townshend was an impressive winner over Potters Point at Punchestown before then beating Peregrine Run at Roscommon, both in impressive style, and he gets to meet Peregrine Run on much better terms here. He can also confirm the form with Landofhopeandglory, who learned a lot from his debut when fourth behind Townshend, whilst Rathvinden is interesting as he appears to retain a good amount of the ability that saw him finish third to Faugheen in the 2015 Neptune.

The opening Guinness Galway Gold Beginners Chase (1.40) looks to be rather trappy and the hopeful suggestion would be Fly Rory Fly, who was about 20 lengths ahead of Ballella Boy when he flew into a smart horse in the shape of Rathvinden (running in the race just mentioned) on his second chasing start. He was set to take a hand in the finish on his chasing debut at Clonmel and his jumping, whilst a question, can be trusted more than the O’Brien pairing of Oathkeeper or Tesseract.

Don’t Tell No One was third in this race last year and hasn’t been seen since, but the form of that contest has not worked out so well and he can be taken on with Just Cause interesting based on his recent return to form when second at Limerick nearly a fortnight ago.

The Guinness Novice Hurdle (4.00) looks to be one of the races of the day and the market has this as an exciting clash between Willie Mullins’ Lac Kivu and Joseph O’Brien’s Bhutan. A deeply impressive winner on his Irish debut at Punchestown, Lac Kivu looked a natural and was never in danger of being beaten when cantering home by 13 lengths at the end of May. That form has real substance to it too, with the runner up having bolted in by 17 lengths next time whilst Immortal Bridge has since won twice.

Bhutan was a deeply taking winner of his only flat start before finding a huge task on his hurdling debut in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle too much for him. It’s interesting to note that on his debut he left the useful Housesofparliament (a winner for us earlier this week) in his wake. He was a taking winner when last seen and he should also have brushed up on his jumping since then.

Robin Des Foret has three wins from four over hurdles and should prove a decent level to the form whilst Its All Guesswork is stepping down in trip and up in grade, foe all he did get off the mark at Punchestown last time. Dorans River got the better of him in June at Roscommon and wasn’t right when behind him at Punchestown whilst Oakly is held on those formlines.

The Corrib Stakes (3.25) ought to be wild with 16 runners over seven furlongs so it’s not a surprise that Raymonda, top rated by a good distance, is favourite given that she has the plum draw In stall 2. She was ahead of second favourite Music Box in the Brownstown Stakes there and should go well although her yard has struggled this season. Drumfad Bay won the Rouge Stakes at Killarney and did it well but has stall 12 whilst Alphabet, returned to a more suitable trip following her last placed finish in the Sapphire Stakes, has a nightmare draw in stall 14.

The Guinness West Indies Porter Flat Race (6.00) is a tricky contest. Dayna Moss was well backed before a fair fourth on Monday and will like the extra distance whilst Peacocks Secret should fine a race like this sooner rather than later and All Good Things was the most eye-catching of the field when third at Punchestown on debut at 33/1. It could be a race for well, drinking the porter.

This can end up being a mix from the Coral Cup, Martin Pipe and the County, given the complete change in track from undulating to flat. Jonjo O’Neill has a strong record in this of late and Coral Cup second Taquin De Seuil could be a likely contender to come here. Hargam’s mark has fallen through the floor and this course will really help him, but a revival is certainly needed.

Henderson may also send Rather Be, an early unseat in the Martin Pipe, who still looks well handicapped off 136 here. Paul Nicholls might send Modus, sixth in the coral Cup off a giant weight and the Lanzarote winner at Kempton, an excellent omen.

From the County, Air Horse One, a winner over further this season before his excellent fourth in the County, is of interest if he was to turn up here. If trend are your thing, six year olds have done very well in the past decade – there have been six winners in the last decade, and weight ranges plenty too – albeit with only one top weight wining since 2010.

2.20pm: The Crabbie’s Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

This often ends up being a rematch from the Supreme and five of the last seven winners have come directly from the Supreme. The Supreme this year was dominated by Ireland, although at this point it’s hard to know if Labaik, going through the sales ring later, will run, let alone start! Should he consent then he is likely to take the beating with Melon likely to go to Punchestown for the trainers’ title battle. River Wylde, a comprehensive winner of the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle, travelled better than he finished in the Supreme and would have a big chance if heading here. Beyond Conceit was a tad outpaced there and might run in the Mersey’ Novices’ at the end of the Festival although if the race cuts up then he would have to be a serious player. Look closely at those who have not run at the Festival, as in the past five years two renewals have had a 1-2 that avoided the Festival altogether.

2.50pm: The Betway Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1)

Nicky Henderson is gunning hard for the title and that appears to be defining factor of this Aintree. He has already declared his interest in running Might Bite and Whisper, the 1-2 in a thrilling RSA, there, and on form they are a mile clear of any likely opposition. However both must have had hard races there, so this is as much a battle against the three week break as it is the rest of the field. However a look through the other races and the handicaps at the meeting didn’t provide many likely contenders to come here, the most obvious of them being Singlefarmpayment who is surely too well handicapped. Tiger Roll is interesting from the front but may stay home at Punchestown and Missed Approach would be interesting as a potential frontrunner, having finished second in a decent renewal of the NH Chase to Tiger Roll.

3.25pm: The JLT Melling Steeple Chase (Grade 1)

In recent years, this has been a clash between the principals of the Ryanair and Champion Chasers. Native Upmanship, Moscow Flyer, Voy Por Ustedes (twice), Finian’s’ Rainbow, and Sprinter Sacre have all come here from the Champion Chase. The Ryanair has provided plenty of other winners, so a mix of those two races ought to provide some insight.

The winners of both are likely to be absent here, with Special Tiara headed to Sandown to take on Altior in the Celebration Chase and Un De Sceaux headed to Punchestown. Fox Norton himself might have won the Champion had he been given a more forceful ride, or with a couple more strides, with no disrespect to Special Tiara, so that he is now favourite over this trip is no surprise. Indeed he had an interrupted season coming up to Cheltenham Festival, so perhaps the effects of his run will be lessened.

God’s Own won last year and proved that it was no fluke when taking the Champion Chase at Punchestown afterwards, beating Vautour on the latter occasion. He stepped forward from what could have been seen as moderate effort in the Champion last year and it might well have been that a lack of racing cost him, along with a shuddering second last error in the Champion that led to him fading badly. Better is expected here and the two are sure fire major players. Sub Lieutenant was flattered to get so close when second in the Ryanair but he as a long way ahead of the rest there and would be very interesting against the likely top two.

Uxizandre bounced in the Ryanair but he is a course and distance winner and now over that, he’d have to be considered a serious player, having made plenty of ground on Un De Sceaux when the Clarence House was rearranged in January. This would be a good spot for Bristol De Mai, better than the Bowl perhaps after his Gold Cup run. Kylemore Lough has good form lines with God’s Own but may be an Ascot horse.

4.05pm: The Randox Health Topham Steeple Chase (Grade 3)

This is one of the most enjoyable races of the season, a Calvary charge over half the National’s distance but with just as much fun to boot.

A look through recent history shows clearly that certain trainers do well and Nicky Henderson has mastered this race. He took three renewals in a row (with two for Barry Geraghty) before Eastlake won last year, defying a poor season and a long losing streak which has seen him pulled up in the previous renewal. It’s interesting to note that Eastlake has one once this year and will presumably return just as Jonjo O’Neill’s yard returns to form.

O’Neill has another one with very strong claims in the shape of Go Conquer, whose swashbuckling effort when fifth in the Ultima at the Festival was the perfect trial for this. Having caught a tartar when second to Tenor Nivernais at Ascot in January, the time before he’d bumped into a classy handicapper in Double Shuffle and at the Festival the four horses who finishes ahead of him were Un Temps Pour Tout (rated 155, previous winner of the race), Singlefarmpayment (142 rated at the time), Noble Endeavour (winner of the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas in clear fashion), and Buywise (rated 145). Of 135, Go Conquer could take some catching from the front and whilst the smart money has come he could go off shorter than the 10/1.

Henderson is the race’s master of late so respect must be given to Gold Present, himself second at the Festival in the novices’ handicap, and O O Seven, who was well beaten in the RSA but whose form at this trip is much better. Cocktails At Dawn has struggled for form of late but would be an interesting runner.

As De Mee won the Grand Sefton when Seefood was in second and Henryville third. Better off at the weights would appear to be Seefood, in at the bottom of the weights (26) although the bookmakers know this).

Bouveril was second in the Plate, having faded badly in the December Gold Cup after being well backed and maybe this ground (better than the winter ground) should suit down to the ground. Third Intention appears in the grip of the handicapper. On of potential interest is Bright New Dawn, back to this trip for the first time since moving to England.

4.40pm: The Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

This could be a decidedly British affair as the Irish 1-2 from the Albert Bartlett (not always the best place to look for winners of this event, given that it is such an attritional event and there is a short gap between the two).

Only 4 of the last 10 winners had ran at the Festival, so it pays to look far and wide. The highest rated horse at the current entry stage here who fits that description is Le Breuil, a nine length winner of a Novice Hurdle at Newbury when there was also 15 lengths further back to the third. However, the second was fourth in the Sidney Banks Novices’ Hurdle, form that links well through Messiere Des Obeaux (entered here, third in the Neptune). He’s had just the two hurdles starts and could be going under the radar. Get On The Yager, upto this trip for the first time, is also of interest – he found Willougby Court and co too strong at Warwick but is twice a winner since.

Moulin A Vent’s fourth to Death Duty now reads well in this contest especially as he got the better of Brelade (sixth in the Neptune) over hurdles earlier in the season and his second at Thurles in the Michael Purcell although the winner Tin Solider was beaten and well beaten off 140 in the Coral Cup.

Of the Cheltenham contenders, once has to give West Approach a big chance on Cleeve Hurdle form, although the form of the World’s End Haydock win, where he gave 7lbs and a beating to No Hassle Hoff, is worthy of him being favourite. No Hassle Hoff was within a head of Constantine Bay when he won a Doncaster Grade 2, and he would have been much closer in the Albert Bartlett had he not been blindsided by The World’s End when he unseated.

Messiere Des Obeaux was third in the Neptune but it was a clear one and the two who dominated were previous Graded winners, and by wide margins too. He shaped as if he is going to get three miles (as he has on many occasions) and he might be the value of those from the Cheltenham Festival.

Keeper Hill will enjoy this trip although he was well behind Messiere Des Obeaux in the Neptune, and Gayebury will be pleased if he’s got the soft ground he relishes. Ballymallin was seventh there but well held off a good mark.

5:15pm: The Weatherbys Champion Standard Open NH Flat (Grade 2)

Claimmantakinforgan will be the likely favourite after his Champion Bumper third but the real unlikely one there was Western Ryder, who came from a position nearly as bad as Fayonagh but ended up coming a hugely creditable fifth there. His from through the season is easily the most consistent of any UK trained bumper horse and if he’s over that race then he has to have a huge chance.

Black Op beat the favourite when getting 6lbs at Doncaster (he was a previous winner of a point by 25 lengths) and he has a big future based on those formlines. If The Cap Fits, a winner by nine lengths at Taunton when last seen, is one of quite a few unexposed horses who has shown the required form to make a mark here – and they include Irish Prophecy, who beat the highly rated Champ at Kempton, and the final field will tell a lot more.

Here’s the Ladies Day preview and tips from Will Kedjanyi. Fore more from Will plus our profitable Plays and Lays, join our Community. JP

British Stallion Studs ‘Carrie Red’ EBF Fillies’ Nursery (Class 2) (2YO only) (1.55): Glitter Girl’s two wins have been impressive but there’s not been much substance to that form despite the style of both of them and this is obviously much more competitive. Arwa, who benefitted greatly from her debut at Newmarket when running out an impressive winner at Ripon on her second start, was still keen but finished her race extremely strongly and it was clear from a long way out that she was the only one in the running to win that contest. With further progress today looking assured on visual evidence she can step up once again.

Rosabelle ran a fine race from the front when second in a good conditions stakes at Chester, making the winner (a previous scorer at Newbury) work hard for the success and on the basis of that she can be competitive here. Mark Johnston’s pairing of Storm Cry and La Casa Terifa were third and second in a competitive Nursery at York’s Ebor meeting and the form of that took a boost in a small way yesterday, and they are entitled to serious respect.

Clugston Construction May Hill Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2) (Str) (Class 1) (2YO only) (2.30): The feeling is that there have been stronger renewals of this. Kilmah sets a decent standard and she can once again beat Urban Fox, Tributina, Grecian Fox and Grecian Light and that standard should see her being hard to beat here, especially if one forgives her run in the Lowther Stakes two starts ago. Rich Legacy was fourth that day when Goodwood may not have suited and the penny took a long time to drop, so this step up in trip really ought to suit Ralph Beckett’s filly. Hidden Steps was quietly impressive to get to the lead in the nick of time to win her Lingfield maiden and has to be respected second time up, but the main threat could well be Blending, a stout winner at Newmarket who responded well to pressure late on in a maiden that has worked out well so far with the second and third having won since (and the fourth and fifth finishing runner up).

Advice: No bet

DFS Park Hill Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2) (Class 1) (3YO plus) (3:05): Simple Verse disappointed last time in the Hardwicke but her two previous runs this season represent solid form and this step up in trip should be a big aid for last year’s St Leger winner. After that Doncaster success she won a strong renewal of the Fillies and Mares’ race at Champions Day at Ascot and following her second in the Jockey Club Stakes she was fourth behind Postponed, Found, and Roseburg in the Coronation Cup at Epsom. That’s the best form in this field and she deserves to be given a chance to get back to her best here.

There are a number of three year old fillies in here and the most interesting of them is Pretty Prefect. Aidan O’Brien’s filly has already had two successes this season, taking the Salasbil Stakes in style before then winning the Munster Oaks but four lengths with stablemate Best In The World (third) then going onto take the Give Thanks Stakes and do so in style, whilst her last effort – fourth in the Yorkshire Oaks – also representing solid form. The progressive three year old pairings of Abbdingon, a stout winner at York in the Galtres Stakes, and California, who won the Lille Langtry in similar style last time when getting away from Tioga Pass in the last furlong (Mill Springs fourth) both deserve serious respect. Carchany should find this easier than the tasks that she’s been set the last twice and could be best of the outsiders for all that Forever poplar ought to enjoy the step up in trip a great deal. Pamona has talent but has become disappointing.

Weatherbys Hamilton 300,000 2-y-o Stakes (Class 2) (2YO only) (3.40): A good renewal. The drier the ground the better of the top rated Global Applause, who was fourth in the Gimcrack with last week’s impressive Sirenia Stakes winner The Last Lion just ahead of him. His earlier form with Mehmas reads exceptionally well and that form will make him hard to beat, enough so that he is the pick here at what appear to be generous enough weights. although Mubtasim will surely run better today than he did that day and the pair are entitled to respect. Bohemian Flame won his maiden impressively before being well held in the National and Richmond Stakes and should be thereabouts.

A good number of these have already run in sales races and of those Stormy Clouds, an impressive winner of the Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes from on the speed when she beat Rusumaat with plenty in hand. She’s very well treated considering that success with Rusumaat now worse off here and should go well. Spiritual Lady, whose poor start didn’t help her in the Super Sprint, ought to be suited by today’s distance and is really well weighted, so watch out for hr and the second Maktoum runner Mutawaaked.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Global Applause (7/1 general)

Crownhotel-bawtry.com Handicap (Class 2) (3YO plus) (4.15): Poet’s Word did well to get up at Glorious Goodwood and the form of that race has since been backed up by wins for the third and fourth. He’s gone up 10lbs in the weights for that success (fair given the form) and ought to take the beating once again. Godolphin’s Lusory overcame greenness on debut to win readily before finishing second in what has turned out to be a decent handicap and she should surely be going on from that on just her third run. The pair are entitled to serious respect and so too is Luca Cumani’s Berdmonsey, fourth in a strongly contested Sandown handicap when the first two home were last time out winners off lowly weights. If you forgive his blip at Ascot two starts ago then he was a very impressive winner on his seasonal reappearance and he has the look of a horse that’s improving and fast. Mark Johnston’s Ode to Evening was returned to form last time out when beating Cote D’Azur in what was a good handicap at Beverley and Roger Varian’s Central Square should be happier back at this trip.

Advice: 1 pt each/way Berdmonsey (9/2 general)

DFS British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (Str) (Plus 10) (Class 3) (2YO only) (4.50): A strong maiden even by Town Moor standards. Despite the presence of a couple of taking newcomers, including Owen Burrows Okool and Charlie Appleby’s Wolf County, but the claims of those who do have experience are compelling and Hydroxide was unlucky not to turn over a 1/5 favourite on the July Course on his debut. He probably would have gotten there in the nick of time if he’d not sat in the stalls and he also came severlalegths windiest when launching is eventual; challenge. The form of that maiden in behind is no more than fair but a winner has at least come out of it since and it was a more compelling visual claim than either The Anvil or Glencadam Glory. The Anvil’s maiden has had stablemate Yucatan win from seventh since (although the winner might have been a letdown in a maiden since) whilst John Gosden’s Glencadam Glory is also entitled to plenty of respect.

Advice: 2 pts win Hydroxide (11/4 general)

Ladbrokes Handicap (Class 3) (3YO plus) (6.00): Hellishly difficult but Ashpan Sam had been dropping plenty in the weights before a fine effort when chasing home Highland Acclaim at Epsom, the two having led all the way from the front. Ashpan Sam is going to have the better of the weights by a small margin here and that may be enough to turnaround the form here. It is interesting to note that War Whisper makes his reappearance here after a long time off the track, having impressed when breaking his maiden at the second time of asking with little fuss, whilst Fendale was first of 10 on his side in the consolidation race for the Great St Wilfrid Stakes and is entitled to be of interest based purely on that, however this race might be one to avoid.

Well done to Will who had the first two in the 15 runner handicap at 4.20 in his column yesterday! – JP

The Olympics hasn’t exactly been a gold standard for coverage of female athletes but hopefully the racing media will have all eyes focused on the Ladies this Thursday at York in what is a fantastic renewal of the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (3.40) on Ladies Day.

Speaking of Olympians, several golden girls have found some frustrating seconds to their name but Found may get back on track today after three runner up finishes this season. Her season this year has followed much of last, where she was runner up five time before winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keenland, and it may be that she peaks later in the summer. There was no shame, however, in a heavy defeat to Postponed in the Coronation Cup, nor a fine second in the Prince of Wales’s in open company when a quick reappearance may not have helped her cause. This is a strong renewal of the Yorkshire Oaks so victory is not a gimme but being returned to 12 furlongs on a good surface could be the kickstart that she needs.

Stablemate Seventh Heaven is clearly best served by a flat track judged on her fine Irish Oaks win when she was well clear of Turret Rocks and the disappointing Even Song, and has to be given serious respect given how comprehensive her victory was that day.

Stablemate Even Song didn’t run her race and can bounce back here, but Queen’s Trust was unlucky not to give her a serious race in the Ribblesdale at Ascot and then gave Minding as tough as race as she’s had in the Nassau Stakes. That was a slowly run affair over a trip which wouldn’t be her favourite and stepped back up in trip she can make a bold bid today. Koora should enjoy a step back up in trip whilst Endless Time can beat Fruiz Cruzada and make a bold bid for Godolphin.

Course and distance form is always a helping hand here at York, especially in big handicaps like the Clipper Logistics Stakes, (3.05) and Chil The Kite has the perfect example in the shape of his win in the race last year off the same exact mark. Since then he has been highly tried in Listed company over 10 furlongs and also sometimes on ground slower than he’d like, but today he gets his ground and track and the only major negative is stall 19, so he has to be worth a chance again today.

Frankel made this track his own when he trashed a quality field in the Juddmonte International and his legacy is already showing on the track with several 2 year old winners already and two of his best are set to duke it out in the Lowther Stakes (2.30). Fair Eva, an impressive debut winner, was even more impressive in the Princess Margret Stakes when she trashed a number of group placed rivals with disdain, sprinting clear in the final furlong. She should be too good for Queen Kindly, whose only defeat came at Royal Ascot in the Albany when soft ground didn’t help her chances. They should be 1-2 whilst Roly Poly is fancied to be best of those that ran in the Cherry Hinton but there’s not much between them and the bet would be Queen Kindly to be second.

There’s more juvenile riches in the shape of the Goffs (1.55) and Phillipe making and David Barron can recoup amends for an unlucky defeat in the Woodcote at Epsom tenfold with Danielsflyer here. Second in the Woodcote, he didn’t appear to handle the track as well as winner Legendary Lunch, who struck out earliest before just holding on as Danielsflyer was just one stride short at the line. Today he can reverse that form and go close.

After the Channel 4 racing cameras have gone there are still top lady talents on show in the shape of the Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (4.20). Sir Michael Stoute’s Abingdon looks capable of defying a penalty to take her second Listed success and third of the season here. Beaten by a classy horse in Fireglow last time out, she could still be improving after just the four runs so far in her career.

We’ve heard a lot of God Save The Queen in Rio this week and Her Majesty may be singing thanks to Light Music. She’s disappointed the last twice, but the Jersey was a deep renewal and she found 6 furlongs too quick at Newmarket. Forgive those runs and she was unlucky not to be a Group 3 winner at Lingfield and she’s worth a shot again one last time.

Advice

2 pts win Found, 3.40 York (7/4 general)

1 pt each/way Queen’s Trust, 3.40 York (8/1 Coral, Bet Victor)

1 pt each/way Chil The Kite, 3.05 York (16/1 SkyBet)

1 pt each/way Danielsflyer, 1.55 York (10/1 general)

1 pt win Abdington, 4.20 York (3/1 SkyBet)

1 pt each/way Light Music, 4.50 York (14/1 SkyBet)

Will’s NAP on Day 1 was a winner. Join our Community for instant access to his best bet for Ladies Day at York.

There’s a strong connection between Cheltenham and Ascot racecourses. Cheltenham stages the pinnacle of Jump Racing and Ascot stages the summer highlight of the Flat with Royal Ascot and since last year, the end of season Flat finale with Champions Day. Trainers who would be better known in the jumping sphere rather than on the level have had an impact. For example, in the last ten years the Ascot Stakes ( Handicap – 2m 1/2f) has been won by trainers who fans of the jumping game would be very familiar with; O’Neill, Pipe, Henderson, Martin and Webber. Jonjo O’Neill’s Well Sharp in the well known colours of JP McManus, took the race last year to complete a sequence of 4 in a row for trainers who regularly run horses at Cheltenham as well as Ascot. The entries for this year’s renewal are likely to contain many dual purpose horses so there’s every chance the sequence can continue. Junior who was triumphant in 2010 went on to complete a rare Royal Ascot – Cheltenham Festival double when he ran away with the 2011 Kim Muir. If you travel a bit further back in time, Brown Jack did the same, only the other way around. Having won the Champion Hurdle in 1928, three months on he was victorious in the Ascot Stakes. He also has the distinction of winning the Queen Alexandra (Group 3 – 2m5f) for six years running from 1929–1934. That race has been taken in recent years by dual purpose performers such as Baddam and Caracciola. The 2012 winner Simenon falls in that bracket too and he is set to line up in this year’s Ascot Gold Cup, having finished a neck second to the Queen’s Estimate last year. Given his liking for Ascot in June and what we saw at Chester, his Royal Ascot Odds of 16/1 for the Gold Cup look generous. Simenon joined the Willie Mullins yard from Andrew Balding in 2011 when I would imagine hurdling was the sole intent and he has displayed plenty of ability in that sphere. Simenon loves a level, fast galloping track and it comes as no surprise that he has shown his very best around courses such as: Ascot, Ayr and Cork. He certainly didn’t appreciate the Cheltenham undulations when finishing last in the 2012 Supreme Novice Hurdle. Another contender at a double figure price is Pale Mimosa, trained by Irish dual purpose trainer Dermot Weld and owned by Ronan Lambe. When their Rite Of Passage went off favourite for the 2009 Champion Bumper, who would have thought we were watching next year’s Ascot Gold Cup winner? Not many horses contest the Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle directly before the Ascot Gold Cup but that’s what Rite Of Passage did in 2010. So, the chestnut with the big fluffy noseband went from Cheltenham to Ascot via Rosewell House to contest the Gold Cup. Sent off at an unconsidered 20/1 in the betting, he beat Age Of Aquarius by a neck and set a new track record in the process. Pale Mimosa came 3rd to the Ascot Gold Cup favourite Leading Light in the Vintage Crop Stakes in his seasonal reappearance and is likely to renew rivalry without another run. Should he take the honours on Thursday 19 June it would be an amazing Gold Cup double for his owner who won this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup with Lord Windermere. Well known jumps trainer Alan King is likely to saddle Tiger Cliff in the Gold Cup, but he was a disappointing 5th to Brown Panther in the Henry II stakes at Sandown. So if you’re having a bet in the Ascot Stakes on Royal Ascot Tuesday or in the Gold Cup on Ladies Day, make a note of those Cheltenham connections.

Next month one of the most famous horsing racing events in the world will take place at Aintree, Liverpool – the Grand National 2014. If you’ve never been, you should make this the year to experience The Grand National. The event is spread over three days and starts on 3 April with the elaborate Grand Opening Day. On Opening Day, there will be live music and entertainment as well as horse races all day. You could make the day even more special by booking a private VIP box through the website. As the Grand National is one of the most important dates on the horse racing calendar, visitors often like to do the event in style – dressing up to the nines and treating themselves to champagne while they watch the races. On Ladies Day however, things really escalate on the style front, which isn’t surprising considering that Liverpudlian ladies are known as the most glamorous the UK! Everybody dresses up on Ladies Day, in bespoke dresses, high heels and hats. Local ladies wouldn’t be seen at The Grand National without their fake tan and false eyelashes, so make sure you put yours on if you want to blend in. Each year on Ladies Day there is a competition to find the most stylish female race goer and newspapers like The Daily Mail report on all the outfits seen across the day. For many girls, Ladies Day is a cause for celebration and a reason to get ridiculously dressed up. If you and the girls want to arrive in style, you could even hire a car for the day from Hertz and choose something flashy for the occasion! The final day of the Aintree event – Grand National Day, which this year takes place on Saturday 5 April – is the biggest of the three. Usually it is watched live by 600 million viewers on TV. Saturday’s big race is the most important of the whole event and has a huge part to play in Britain’s sporting history. Famous Grand National races and winners from the past are the stuff of legend, like thoroughbred Red Rum who won the Grand National an amazing three times in 1973, 1974 and 1977; the only horse to ever have achieved a triple win. This year you could bear witness to more history-worthy horse racing moments.

Day two at the Cheltenham Festival dawned slightly warmer than yesterday and the name on everyone’s lips was Sprinter Sacre. The big bay looked in a class of his own as he danced around the parade ring before the Queen Mother Champion Chase today. He didn’t disappoint, jumping brilliantly apart from a tiny mistake at the ditch and storming up to the post to beat Sizing Europe by 19 effortless lengths. Trainer Nicky Henderson said, ” It was the worst 5 minutes of my life, absolute hell. He finds it so ridiculously easy you worry complacency could creep in.” Sprinter’s jockey Barry Geraghty said, “He’s top class. Hopefully he’ll stay sound and we will get a lot of fun out of him.” The first two races on the card were a father and son affair; Willie Mullins and Patrick Mullins taking the John Oaksey National Hunt Chase with Back in Focus. The favourite swept past Tofino Bay as he tired on the run up. Willie Mullins was a very proud father in the winner’s enclosure and it meant a lot to him to have a winner with his son up. The Twiston-Davies family were celebrating after the Neptune Investments Novices Hurdle when the better ground allowed The New One to show off his turn of foot. Rule the World fought valiantly but couldn’t match the pace. The favourite Pont Alexandre came third and didn’t seem to be travelling from quite a way out. Willie Mullins said he was disappointed and perhaps soft ground is the key. Lord Windermere managed to edge out Goulanes in the RSA Steeple Chase. His jockey Davy Russell said, “All credit to Jim Culloty and the lads, I only had to steer him today.” The Coral Cup went to outsider Medinas trained by Alan King. There was a photo finish for second which Alan King also clinched with Meister Eckhart by a nose and Willie Mullins’ Fiveforthree took third after an absence of 727 days. The Fred Winter was claimed by Flaxon Flare who cleared the last gaining lengths in the air and charged up the hill winning by four and a half lengths. The Bumper was won by a rarity; a horse ridden by Ruby Walsh, trained by Willie Mullins with a starting price of 25-1. Briar Hill takes Willie Mullins bumper wins total up to 8. Tomorrow the two big races are Ryanair Chase and the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. The current favourites are First Lieutenant in the Chase and Oscar Whisky in the World Hurdle.

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